32 fishermen rescued after four days adrift at sea

Thirty-two Vietnamese fishermen have been rescued after surviving four days and nights adrift in the East Vietnam Sea, following the sudden sinking of a squid-fishing boat late last month. Some of the men drank their own urine after their limited fresh water ran out.

The QNa-90859 vessel was returning from a month-long fishing trip when it was hit by a sudden squall on August 25. The boat capsized in around 10 minutes, leaving its crew scrambling to escape.

Of the 51 people on board, 46 initially made it out of the sinking vessel. Five others were trapped inside and went down with the boat, according to accounts from survivors.

Makeshift raft offered a chance of survival

Those who reached the surface gathered whatever they could find, including plastic jerrycans, bamboo poles, ropes and empty bottles. They tied the materials together into a makeshift floating raft.

Fisherman Nguyen Ninh, one of the survivors, said the group clung to the improvised structure as they drifted at sea. By the second day, their drinking water had been exhausted.

With no alternative, some drank their own urine in the hope of staying alive. The survivors faced severe exhaustion, dehydration and uncertainty as the days passed.

Rescue crews find survivors

Captain Nguyen Van Huu and the crew of the fishing vessel BD-98960 were among those recognised on Monday for taking part in the rescue. Local authorities in Gia Lai Province and Da Nang City honoured the captains and crews of two fishing boats for their efforts.

When the rescuers arrived at the ceremony, relatives of the survivors embraced them in emotional scenes. Ninh’s wife said she had feared the worst after being told that the boat had sunk and its crew were missing.

The search for other missing fishermen continues.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

The disaster is a stark reminder of the risks faced by Vietnam’s fishing communities, particularly when sudden weather changes strike offshore. Visitors taking boat trips should check weather conditions, use licensed operators and follow crew safety instructions at all times.

15.09.2026